פָּלַט (pa.lat)
pa.lat
to escape
H:VQuick Reference
- Language
- Biblical Hebrew
- Testament
- Old Testament
- Occurrences
- 14 verses
- Root
- —
- Part of speech
- H:V
Word Overview
The Hebrew verb palat carries the core sense of escaping danger or being delivered from it. In its basic form, it describes slipping away or getting free, often with a nuance of suddenness. This word appears fourteen times in the Old Testament, showing up frequently in the Psalms where it expresses trust that God will rescue the psalmist from immediate threats.
Its range extends beyond simple flight to include being brought into security. When used in intensive forms, it emphasizes the act of delivering someone else or causing them to escape harm. This dual focus on both the act of fleeing and the state of safety makes it a rich term for describing divine intervention in times of peril.
The word’s usage highlights a key biblical theme: deliverance is not just about avoiding trouble but about reaching a place of safety. In passages like Psalm 34:19, it underscores that those who trust in the Lord are pulled out of their troubles. This captures the idea that God’s rescue is both protective and restorative.
Based on public-domain lexicons (Strong's, Thayer, Gesenius, Brown-Driver-Briggs and others).
What This Word Means for Your Faith
When life feels overwhelming, the Hebrew word palat offers a clear picture of God’s care. It describes escaping danger and reaching safety. This is not just running away from trouble, but being brought into a place where you are protected. The Psalms use this word often to show trust that God hears cries for help.
You do not have to face threats alone. Scripture reminds us that those who seek refuge in the Lord find rescue. Whether you are dealing with conflict or fear, this promise grounds your hope in His faithfulness. He is near to deliver you and keep you secure.
How it's translated
How this word is rendered word-by-word in the 14 verses where it appears, by frequency.
- you will bring to safety2×
- and/ deliverer/ my2×
- you will deliver/ me1×
- so/ it may carry [it] off1×
- it calves1×
- he delivers/ them1×
- deliver/ me1×
- deliver/ !1×
- deliver1×
- and/ you will deliver/ me1×
- and/ you rescued/ me1×
- and/ he delivered/ them1×
Forms in the text
The inflected forms of this word as they appear in Scripture, by frequency.
- תְּפַלֵּ֥ט1×
- תְּפַלֵּ֖ט1×
- תַפְלִ֔יט1×
- תְפַלְּטֵֽ/נִי\׃1×
- פַּלְּטוּ\־1×
- פַּלְּטָ֥/ה1×
- פַּ֭לְּטֵ/נִי1×
- יְפַלְּטֵ֣/ם1×
- וּֽ/תְפַלְּטֵ֑/נִי1×
- וּֽ/מְפַלְטִ֫/י1×
- וּ/מְפַלְטִ/י\־1×
- וַֽ/תְּפַלְּטֵ֔/נִי1×
Key Verses
-
Psalms 17:13
Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,
The psalmist asks God to actively intervene and rescue his soul from immediate wickedness, showing the word's use in personal prayer for protection.
-
Psalms 91:14
“Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him. I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
God speaks directly here, promising to deliver those who love Him because they have known His name, highlighting divine initiative in rescue.
-
II Samuel 22:2
and he said: “Yahweh is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer, even mine;
David calls Yahweh his 'deliverer,' linking the concept of escape with the stability of a rock and fortress for enduring safety.